Here's how you can excel in executive roles in FM by mastering key skills.

Unlocking Potential Through Purpose-Driven Leadership In today’s fast-paced world, leadership isn’t just about managing teams; it’s about inspiring a collective vision, driving innovation, and cultivating a culture of growth. Over the years, I’ve embraced leadership as a journey that requires emotional intelligence, strategic foresight, and a deep commitment to nurturing talent. My core leadership principles: • Empathy as a Superpower: Understanding people is key to unlocking their true potential. By fostering an environment where diverse ideas thrive, I ensure everyone feels empowered to contribute their best work. • Decisive Action, Collaborative Approach: I believe in decisiveness balanced with collaboration.

Being a leader is as much a responsibility, as is an honour. One must feel privileged to have been chosen to be a leader. However being a leader entails a great degree of responsibility and accountability. You need to steer your team towards efficiently and economically achieving the goals laid down by your organisation. You need to train your team, guide & support them, as also stand up for them. Quick decisions will be your hallmark, as would carrying your entire team along be.

In facilities management (FM) executive roles, leadership acumen is essential for guiding teams toward achieving shared objectives.By cultivating said leadership qualities, FM executives not only drive their teams toward success but also build a respected and resilient leadership presence.

Leadership in any position requires taking ownership. Keeping the team motivated, well informed, well trained is also the leader’s responsibility. The leader has to explain the roadmap to the team and make sure it is well understood. Regular meetings with the team members is critical to ensure that things are proceeding as planned and in case of any deviation, proper mitigation steps are taken.

Leadership acumen in facility management involves a combination of skills, knowledge, and qualities that enable individuals to effectively lead and manage facility management teams, operations, and services. By possessing strong leadership acumen, facility management professionals can excel in their roles, drive business success, and advance the FM profession.

In FM, strategic thinking also involves resource allocation, optimising processes, and embracing innovation to stay competitive. Mastering this skill ensures that your facility operations not only run smoothly but also play a pivotal role in the organisation’s success. By aligning FM strategies with corporate objectives, you create a forward-thinking approach that drives continuous improvement and long-term value.

To excel in FM executive roles, strategic thinking is key. It helps you align facility operations with business goals, plan ahead, and spot opportunities for improvement. By thinking long-term and making smart decisions, you can turn facilities into a real asset for the company.

In facility management, operational excellence is crucial—but it’s strategic thinking that truly sets you apart. To stay ahead, you can’t just react to problems; you need to anticipate them. This means understanding market trends, assessing risks, and aligning FM with the broader goals of the business. Simply put, a short-term focus will leave you struggling. A strategic mindset allows you to plan for sustainability, innovate, and add measurable value to your organization. When you master the art of seeing the big picture, you ensure that your operations don’t just run smoothly—they drive success and growth.

Understanding the big picture. Setting long-term goals. Creating plans to achieve those goals. Analyzing market trends and assessing risks. Aligning FM strategies with overall business objectives.

Concordo que essa habilidade é essencial para lidar com as complexidades da área. Ser capaz de antecipar desafios, entender o quadro geral, definir objetivos de longo prazo e alinhar estratégias com as metas do negócio são aspectos fundamentais. Dominar o pensamento estratégico permite que as operações de FM contribuam de forma significativa para o sucesso e a sustentabilidade da organização.

Budget planning in FM begins with establishing clear goals and objectives for facility maintenance. By aligning budgetary objectives with the organizational objectives, facility managers can ensure that the allocated either human or physical resources are directed towards initiatives that directly contribute to the organization's mission and vision. So, prioritizing investments based on criticality, impact, and ROI helps in optimizing resource allocation and avoiding unnecessary expenditures.

Being able to justify expenditures by demonstrating return on investment (ROI) is particularly important. It allows you to show the tangible benefits of investments, whether they’re in new technology, sustainability initiatives, or infrastructure upgrades. By cultivating financial acumen, you position yourself to make informed, strategic decisions that not only optimise resources but also support the overall financial health and long-term sustainability of your facilities.

É essencial para gerenciar orçamentos, custos e decisões de investimento compreender demonstrações financeiras, controlar custos operacionais e justificar gastos com base no retorno sobre o investimento (ROI). Desenvolver essa perspicácia financeira permite aos líderes tomar decisões estratégicas que otimizam recursos e fortalecem a saúde financeira das operações.

I think one of the most important Financial aspects related to FM is the ability to change this well know cost center department to be a profit center. This change needs a deep dive into all related FM costs and expenses in order to find the best solutions to turn them into profit by transforming to be a profit based service provider. On the other hand, I believe that another important aspect is the hidden costs those related to FM, one of the examples the cost of using any type of materials that cannot be measured easily such as liquid cleaning materials, those items which are a lot if the FM concentrate on how to manage them wisely he will make big savings every year.

In facility management, if you don’t speak the language of finance, you’re already behind. Budget oversight, cost control, and investment decisions aren’t just tasks—they’re the core of your responsibility. Understanding financial statements and ROI isn’t optional; it’s essential. You need to be able to justify every expenditure with measurable impact. Operational efficiency without financial savvy? That’s just firefighting. The real leaders are those who master the numbers, maximize resources, and ensure that every cent spent supports the long-term financial health of the facility. This isn’t about cost-cutting—it’s about smart, sustainable growth.

In facility management, technical expertise isn’t a bonus—it’s a must. As an executive, you don’t need to fix HVAC systems or troubleshoot electrical issues, but you do need to understand them. Why? Because strategic decisions rely on knowing how these systems impact costs, efficiency, and sustainability. It’s about communicating effectively with your technical teams, ensuring regulatory compliance, and making informed choices that keep your facilities running safely and smoothly. Technical knowledge gives you the edge to lead confidently and ensure that your facilities aren’t just functional—they’re optimized for the future.

One thing I have found helpful in FM is the ability to be skilled in operation and maintenance services. This entails being able to implement preventive maintenance, enforce compliance to regulatory standards, and adhere to health and safety guidelines. A FM with strong technical skills will effectively contribute to the sustainability of the facility.

The number of times I go to a site when few in the FM department have any idea of what I can and cannot do. We got called to a site where the incumbent M&E contractors pointed at the VRF system and said: 'nothing to do with us, that's BMS'. We integrate via a Black Pear device but cannot adjust and calibrate sensors, or regroup the Hitachi system. However on telling the FM manager, they insisted that if we didn't fix he would pull our contract. So please as an FM manager have some idea of what you are working with

Being technically proficient allows you to communicate effectively with your technical teams, ensuring alignment and smooth operations. It also plays a critical role in ensuring compliance with industry regulations and standards, which is vital for risk management and maintaining operational integrity. As an executive, your technical insight allows you to bridge the gap between leadership and the technical aspects of facility management, ultimately driving better outcomes for your organisation.

Understanding building systems and maintenance protocols. Knowing sustainability practices. Using this knowledge to make strategic decisions. Communicating effectively with technical teams. Ensuring compliance with regulations and standards for safety and efficiency.

A good communicator in FM ensures that clear information regarding people, place, process and technology are promptly and accurately relayed. In essence, it involves the alignment and fostering of collaboration among all stakeholders. Good communication in FM minimizes misunderstanding and improves service delivery.

Toyota has established a unique way in communicating for dicision making. It start with envolve all stakeholders starting from blue collars employees to white collars all the way up to executives and owners. In order to make 360 dicision based on all employees opinions. This way successfully raised the awareness of collective dicision making.

In facility management, communication isn’t a soft skill—it’s a power tool. Whether you’re negotiating with vendors, aligning stakeholders, or guiding your team, your ability to convey complex information clearly is what sets you apart. But it’s not just about talking; it’s about listening. Active listening and empathy are critical for resolving conflicts and building trust. Tailoring your message for different audiences ensures you’re understood, not just heard. When you master communication, you unlock better teamwork, higher customer satisfaction, and position yourself as a leader who drives results through clarity and connection.

Communication and Relationship Management Communicate effectively with stakeholders at all levels, from top executives to frontline staff. Build and maintain strong relationships with vendors, landlords, and government bodies. Handle conflict resolution diplomatically and ensure alignment with organizational objectives.

Handling crucial conversations effectively is a key skill for leaders in facility management. These discussions, often involving sensitive or high-stakes issues, allow leaders to address concerns, make clear decisions, and foster collaboration among team members. By approaching these conversations with clarity and empathy, leaders can resolve conflicts, align their teams, and drive improved operational efficiency. When leaders excel in crucial conversations, they can better manage expectations, enhance communication, and ultimately deliver higher-quality services. For anyone looking to sharpen this skills, I highly recommend reading "Crucial Conversations" by Stephen R. Covey. It provides practical tools to navigate tough conversations.

All d points mentioned above are surely important and much needed. However in my experience as Facility Head following qualities are essential for effective executive role in facility management. - Future Orientation: This is vital with respect to long term planning of facilities and infrastructure. - Second important thing is connecting with other industries through professional institutions for benchmarking best practices.

Change management is indeed crucial for FM executives due to the dynamic nature of the industry. It involves leading your organization through transitions like adopting new technologies, team restructuring, or new process implementation. Key skills include resilience, handling resistance, and maintaining team engagement during changes. Proficiency in change management helps keep your facilities competitive and adaptable.